5fromabove's Pre--Surprise-Trip Report...

[5fromabove]

Surprise Party:
DD-4
DD-6
DS-8
DS-12
(DD-16 will be there in spirit, she's staying home w/a friend due to sports commitments)
DH and I

Sun. Aug. 24th to Sat. Aug. 30th

All-Star-Sports

As a "end-of-summer" cure to the "Back-to-school blues" I planned a surprise trip to the World. My Dad's 60th Birthday is on the 27th. He lives in FL and I figured it would be a perfect way to see him AND Mickey at the same time Our kids think we are going to New Hampshire, and are happy enough with that. They will be completely SHOCKED to learn otherwise. We plan on driving to NH and breaking the news just before arriving at the airport. We always fly out of Boston...and I don't think they even know there IS an airport in NH I've printed candy bar wrappers that will cover Hershey bars...the wrappers says, "we're going to Disney" with Mickey on front. I plan to ask if anyone wants dessert...and give those to them
I chose ASSports because our sons are huge sports fans. They are always good sports (excuse the pun) about doing all of the princessy things for their little sisters...so this is a neat thing for them. I've also made up cheesy little "poems" which I printed onto card stock. I put them in individual envelopes, labeled with each day. The kids won't know until that morning what park we are going to that day...another way to carry on the surprise theme. Here's a rough itinerary:

Sunday, 8/24
Arrive in Orlando around 6:45PM
Check in- Disney’s All-Star-Sports-
Pool time before bed.

Monday, 8/25
Magic Kingdom for the day!
Park Hours: 9am-10pm
Crystal Palace for breakfast (a tradition)
Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner (a first)
Spectromagic & Wishes

Tuesday, 8/26
Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s for the day
Park Hours: 9am-8pm
Counter Service for both meals
Fantasmic?

Wednesday, 8/27- Grandpa's birthday. Another wonderful surprise for them to see him
Spend the day with him either at ASS pool, or Typhoon Lagoon if I can talk him into it. If not, maybe play mini-golf.
Dinner at Turf Club Bar & Grill (with a special order birthday cake)- we love this place and the atmosphere is perfect for my Dad who gets frazzled with crowds and loud noise.

Thursday, 8/28
Animal Kingdom Park for the day
Park Hours: 9am-5pm
Tusker House for breakfast (did Restaurantasaurus, but this is a first)
Boma for dinner (kids loved it last time)

Friday, 8/29
EPCOT for the day
Park Hours: 9a-12a (EMH)
Biergarten for dinner (a first for us)
Illuminations (hoping to have a better view this time)
I'm hoping to have time to do the countries with DS's. We've never really explored them and I think they are the perfect age for it.

Saturday, 8/30
Check out & store our bags.
To whatever park we feel like for the day
Leave Orlando around 6PM

That's about it. Down to the wire now...started packing today. Wish me luck in not blowing it in the next 3 days.

[the other micki]

Your kids are going to be over-the-moon with joy! What an awesome surprise! Have a wonderful trip! Your plans sound great!

[Lizzie]

Looks like a lot of fun. We love Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner. Really bummed that they are changing it.

[DisneyWhirled]

What a great surprise!!!! Have a ball!

[ChipnDaleGal]

Sounds like you have the surprise aspect very well thought out. It will be so fun for you anf your husband to see their faces as they realize what is happening. I hope you have a great trip and a lot of fun with your dad.

[DizNee143]

sounds like a wonderful surprise you have planned!! hope it all goes well and they you and your family have a wonderful vacation!! cant wait to hear about how it all went..

[merlinmagic4]

Have a great trip!

[5fromabove]

Getting excited...quietly, LOL.

[RedSoxFan]

WOW --- What a great surprise. Have a wonderful time.

[faline]

You leave today! Have a wonderful time and I hope the surprise goes as planned!